The Young Adult Vocational Program (YAVP) is a transitional program that provides daily structure for young adults with psychiatric disabilities. The program’s mission of integrating the individual back into the community is accomplished through daily structured groups and individualized support. Groups have been established to help build pre-vocational, vocational, and educational skills, as well as daily life skills as they relate to work or school. Specific skill areas that have been targeted include:
- Appropriate work habits and attitudes
- Time management
- Confidence building
- Dependability
- Job seeking and interviewing skills
- Resume writing
- Filling out applications
- Social Skills
- Communication skills
- Determining strengths
- Evaluating work goals
- Assisted job coaching when requested
These are among some of the many skills that are built upon, each member works on different skill building according to their individual needs.
YAVP Members
The members attending YAVP range in age from 16-25 and have been referred to the program through various support agencies. Typically, these individuals have faced obstacles in job situations. The young adult members of YAVP take part in small group instruction that fosters and supports a well-rounded approach to educational and vocational skill building. In addition, each member works with their individual job developer to set and accomplish desired goals. The members at YAVP have a wide array of interests which adds to the richly diverse learning atmosphere of the program. There is a broad range of interests such as painting, drawing and graphic design to radio and TV, teaching, mechanics, carpentry and human services.
YAVP Mentors and young adults are featured in the documentary In Our Own Voice, our hopes, our dreams, our struggles. Click here to view the video.
Downloadable YAVP Brouchure:
Former YAVP Peer Mentors Owen Tarnauskas and Martin Finger were featured on Employment for All wiKimberly Bisset on the Boston Neighborhood Network. Click here to view the video.